Last time out was a nice little game for Calgary, which scored five goals in the second half of the game. So why not do it all again before doing it all again again on Thursday?

I'm writing this well in advance of tonight's 6 p.m., so I don't know what lines or anything look like yet, but you have to imagine that this game will take on a fair bit of intensity, given that it's the last one of the preseason.

This is the game in which guys will make their case for staying with the big club, and now there are more spots open than we would have imagined just three days ago. In addition to the injuries to Stajan, Stone and Langkow, Calgary also lost Kotalik and Moss for "indefinite" amounts of time on Friday night, so this game is the closest thing to a final dress rehearsal the kids are going to have.

Guys like Brett Sutter and Stefan Meyer, who seemed on the outside looking in to make the roster when camp opened, now appear primed for a spot on Thursday. And all they have to do tonight is not play too terribly and/or get injured to pretty much guarantee themselves a couple games' worth of NHL checks.

But the injury problems haven't cleared the way for one player to get the NHL roster spot many would argue that he deserves. TJ Brodie gets his last chance tonight to show Brent and Darryl Sutter that he belongs with the big club and a guy like Steve Staios doesn't (well, the latter is certainly true regardless of what Brodie does tonight, but you see my point.) Gotta figure he needs at least another goal and a strong defensive effort to make a big enough impression, eh?

The game will also give us another look at what might be the top line come this time next week: Backlund between Tanguay and Iginla. It worked wonderfully once it got its feet moving on Saturday, combining for two goals and four assists, though that was against the Oilers' defense and Nikolai Khabibulin, so it may be faint praise.

The regular season is now just one game and four days away. Let's just hope nothing happens to Miikka or Jarome.

Yer ol' buddy Lambert is handsome and great and everyone loves him. Also you can visit his regular blog at The Two-Line Pass or follow him on Twitter. Lucky you!

Brodie didn't look as solid tonight. Not bad and will definitely be on the team next year, but I'm back to thinking he'd be better off getting lots of ice and confidence in the AHL this season. Pelech can sit in the press box instead. Although assuming Staois has to go down and if Pardy is hurt I'd keep him up and play him as #6 until Pardy is back.

So the pre-season is over.
And other than all the injuries at least this pre-season has given us reason to be optimistic about the real thing.( a 2-5 pre-season probably would have brought this city in an uproar)
This is one of the most I probably have ever payed attention to the pre-season (Many thanks to FlamesNation and all the great reads I get)

However I do know its only exhibition and I do know they have to show up now and avoid being like Toronto last year. Although with Edmonton first I somehow have a good feeling that wont be happening, anything can happen though.

And now, to my only real question, What are your guys predictions on the T.J. Brodie situation?
Probably tired of talking about it by now, but after tonight imo, I think he deserves a spot on the team. He looks to me he can handle playing against teams bottom six forwards and with some powerplay time mixed in there, he could be a good asset. That being said though if he ends up being the 7th dman I rather just have him go to Abbotsford, get a year under his belt, play top talent in there and develop and develop.

i'll be shocked if brodie isn't demoted. right now there are four top four guys (jbouw, regehr, gio, white ---not necessarily in that order) and then the periphery blueliners (sarich, staios, pardy, pelech). everyone would have to clear waivers to end up in abby, so the most likely demotion (IMO) is staios. if pardy's injured that's kindof a bonus for sutter, cause my guess is that any of pardy, pelech, or sarich on waivers are as good as gone.

I'm guessing barring injuries Brodie plays in the A more than with the Flames. As I've said all along, I'd be shocked if Staios isn't in Calgary. And Pelech disappointed. I wouldn't rule out Sarich getting moved.

...Brent Sutter at the post game presser almost said Brodie "earned" a spot, but cut himself short. Not sure if this means Brodie earned a spot and will stay (meaning the Flames will have to unload one of their one way contract) or if it means that he earned a spot and is being pushed out because of the one-way contract situations.

But if T.J. Brodie makes the team, Really good for him. It will either be the biggest confidence builder he's ever had and we're just starting to see the surface becoming unscratched, or the NHL will prove too much and he'll tail off after a couple games.